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Tag Archive | hope

Ever got the thoughts in your mind while looking at someone else that you need to have that kind of a body figure? Or ever saw someone and thought why he/she looked the way they are? The answer mostly would be yes ofcourse…as we all do that or have done sometimes.
So whats body shaming then? Its rightly defined as inappropriate negative statements and attitudes towards other person weight or size. It can also reach into discrimination against individuals who may be overweight.
We have always seen people around us using derogatory words and labels towards people who are fat or skinny. Why? Are they less of a human? Or we have trained our mind to just focus on the outer appearance and neglect the inner beauty? So this means that you’ll love a person who’s drop dead gorgeous on the outside given the fact that he/she is completely hollow from the inside?

A lot of bullying and self esteem issues revolves around our own body…due to one simple fact…We fail to accept it and love it the way it is.

Critically examining oneself by means of comparisons or passing unsuitable remarks at others leads to this issue of body shaming. There is evidence of cyber bullying as well. Its a common sight to find jokes on being too skinny or too fat/obese… These people are viewed as far less desirable by opposite sex than those who have normal weight. There is a general tendency for people to club positive traits with those people who are attractive and in good shape,than those who are not. Although there is no proven link between them as of now. Does being a person with normal weight make you more loving and caring than others? Or if you are more attractive will it mean you have higher IQ levels?
These notions of body shaming are more prevelant in countries where zero size figures are promoted and preferred such as the USA etc. There are higher chances of people indulging in eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia…
So much trolling occurs on social networking sites like Facebook,Twitter,Instagram etc. People comment on how overweight women cannot wear bikinis or flaunt their body,or how thin men and women look like stick or hanger which makes them less desirable.
You’ll find how common it is for people to make fun of actresses post pregnancy. How easy to that isnt it? My post is more women centric as the main target of this issue are women as compared to men if rated on intensity and frequency scale and are more susceptible to it.

All this has a greater impact on our mind especially those of the adolescents where they create a negative self image of themselves. How very neglected and insensitive we are towards this topic. Only the one experiencing it can tell the pinching feeling of these negative remarks and its deep seated impact.

Did you ever ponder upon this idea that maybe it took years and lots of encouragement for a person to get comfortable and used to with who they are and when they tried putting a brave front by posting a pic just to see if they are confident enough to do so and suddenly all their built confidence and hopes are shattered by some indecent and not so valuable comments.

Why isnt it taught in great detail how important it is for us to first start respecting our own selves before moving on to others? Why isnt it taught to us to be comfortable with who we are even if all others are behind you,criticising? Why cant we proudly beam at our reflection in the mirror and be happy? Why cant we beam at others and be accepting of them even if they weigh a 100kg? Why do we just form judgements with the way that person looks? WHY? Who are we to set the limits and decide what beauty is… How beautiful the world would have been if our eyes appreciated others by looking at their soul and not their protective shell,their body. Atleast people would not have feelings of guilt,frustration,insecurities,isolation,low self esteem and negative self image due to body shaming.

When you look at your loved one,do you stop loving him/her just because of their looks and body type? No. Do you pass the same remarks to them that you can think of easily passing on to others without being hurt and wounded? No. While commenting do you ever stop and measure your words by tasting them before spitting? Are you yourself perfect? So who demarcated that thinness or being an obese is an imperfection…?
The body is not polluted or imperfect,its the mind. Train it to look at the brighter side. What if the person who you are criticising is completely okay with the way he/she looks…and does not need your free advice. Then what? Ever thought about not giving free advices always? Or situations when its not required? Maybe the person doesnt even know you and you are suggesting a diet chart… Why? No one asked for the insights right. Then why not help those build up confidence who once had but lost it…thanks to the free advisers… It will bring a change in the mindset,the society and would bring satisfaction to your own self.

These days an effort has been made to promote various brands by involving the plus size models which is indeed a great initiative as its about time that we break the schemas and stereotypes and move ahead by being at ease with our body type,without drawing any criticisms for the same. Different shapes and sizes adds to the beauty and variety. After all variety is the spice of life. Find the positives in you and lead a healthy life. Indulge in self love and also learn to accept others.

Dont judge a book by its cover. Dont judge people by their clothes. Dont judge a beautiful soul by the appearance of its protective body. Stop judging and start appreciating.